Magnus MagnussonAwards 2016

Gillan Murray, 2014 Catholic Bishops’ Conference Magnusson Award

The Magnus Magnusson Fund was created by Glasgow Caledonian University in honour of our late Chancellor, television presenter, journalist, writer, historian, professional Icelander and “lad o’ pairts”, Magnus Magnusson KBE. The Fund has been supported by many friends and colleagues of Magnus, and continues to attract support from those who share his values. We remember him through two initiatives:

Magnus Magnusson AwardsThese annual awards help cultivate the ambitions and dreams of talented students and researchers at Glasgow Caledonian University. Applicants must demonstrate achievement in their chosen area and have a clear plan to take their work forward, but projects are not restricted to subject or geographic area. Each Magnus Magnusson Award holder will present a report and findings after completion of their project, and have the opportunity to share their experiences at the annual Awards Ceremony within the University.

Magnus Magnusson FellowshipHosted by Glasgow Caledonian University, the Magnus Magnusson Fellowship is a growing group of international figures invited to come together to discuss issues of major concern to society and to deliver a Magnus Magnusson Lecture.

The Fellowship represents a wide range of backgrounds and interests. Their discussions and the Magnusson Lectures reflect Magnus’ huge contribution to public life. It is not a dry debating club, but is challenged each time to come up with creative ideas to make leaders think again about a chosen topic of the moment.

The inaugural Magnusson Lecture was held in December 2008 and delivered by Nobel Peace Prize winner, Professor Muhammad Yunus. Most recently, the 2014 Lecture was presented by philanthropist Professor Eva Haller. Professor Haller is one the world’s leading human rights activists and she discussed her life, experience and outlooks in conversation with Sally Magnusson at Glasgow Caledonian University in March 2014.

The Fund has been created by many friends and colleagues of Magnus, and continues to attract support from those who share his values.

Magnus Magnusson 12 October 1929 to 7 January 2007,Glasgow Caledonian University Chancellor: 2002-2007

I am delighted to welcome you to Glasgow Caledonian University and to the Magnus Magnusson Awards ceremony. For five years, Magnus Magnusson was Chancellor of our University and during this time he carried out his duties with such great enthusiasm and tireless dedication. Through the creation of the Magnus Magnusson Awards, we are ensuring that Magnus’ contribution to Scottish education in general, and to Glasgow Caledonian University in particular, will never be forgotten.

The Magnus Magnusson Awards enable our ambitious and talented students to undertake their dream projects for the Common Good. At Glasgow Caledonian University, we are so proud of the fantastic achievements that have been made possible over the past nine years through this incredible initiative.

We are delighted to welcome three former winners back to GCU tonight to tell you about the positive impact that receiving a Magnus Magnusson Award has had. Fatma Ibrahim travelled to Egypt to support the work of the Girls Revolution, Connor Johnston started his own games design business and Rhiannon Walsh travelled to Zimbabwe to make a film about volunteering at a wildlife orphanage. I’m sure you’ll all find these young people as inspiring as I do.

Tonight, the 2016 winners will be presented with their awards. These individuals were selected by a panel of judges on the basis of the talent, enthusiasm and altruism that they demonstrated in their proposals. We are delighted to encourage and support these qualities, while enabling the recipients to develop personally or professionally and give something back to communities around the world.

I would like to thank all of our donors whose incredible generosity makes so many of these awards possible. Support from individuals and companies who share the University’s continuing pledge to support the Magnus Magnusson Awards has enabled us to make over 60 awards totalling more than £225,000 since 2008.

Thank you for joining us here tonight to congratulate the 2016 Magnus Magnusson Award winners who embody so many of Magnus’ own personal interests and values - we wish them every success with their endeavours.

“ At Glasgow Caledonian University, we are so proud of the fantastic achievements that have been made possible over the past nine years through this incredible initiative.”

Professor Pamela Gillies CBE FRSEPrincipal and Vice-ChancellorGlasgow Caledonian University

It is a great pleasure to mark the ninth year of the Magnus Magnusson Awards at Glasgow Caledonian University. My Father adored his time as Chancellor of the University and always loved meeting the students who are such a vibrant part of the GCU community.

Being part of the judging panel for the Magnusson Awards is always a highlight of my year. Hearing about the exciting new projects the next generation of GCU students are planning is incredibly inspiring and I am proud that the Awards can help them to realise their dreams.

As ever, choosing this year’s winners was a real challenge for the panel as so many worthy and exciting ideas are pitched to us. But this is a challenge I welcome, and one my Father would have embraced.

I am delighted to see the University continue to support and encourage these talented young people. The 2016 Magnus Magnusson Award winners have some truly wonderful plans and I know that they will make good use of this special grant and act as worthy ambassadors for the University and the Awards. I can’t wait to hear about their accomplishments and wish them, and all Award winners since 2008, the very best for the future.

“ My Father adored his time as Chancellor of the University and always loved meeting the students who are such a vibrant part of the GCU community.”

Sally Magnusson DLittHonorary President Magnus Magnusson Fellowship

2016 MagnussonWinners

Warren Capaldi, James Halliday and Tim McQuadeKylie FaganLucy Forsyth and Louise McCloyAnu GoelAndrew HeadspeathRachel HewittConor McGreadAngela McIntyreTeresa TurnerKaren Whyte

Warren Capaldi, James Halliday and Tim mcquade BEng (Hons) Electrical, Electronic and Renewable Energy EngineeringBSc (Hons) Environmental Civil Engineering BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying Sir Alex Ferguson Magnusson Award

Electrical Engineer Warren, Quantity Surveyor Tim and Civil Engineer James are teaming up to take part in a classroom and wind turbine building project in Malawi. The team of three are one of the first to receive a Magnusson Award supported by leading football manager, Sir Alex Ferguson CBE.

Working with a group of Scottish and Malawian students, they will help design and build a climate resistant classroom block helping communities affected by the disastrous floods of January 2015. The team will also work on developing options for innovation energy services, building wind turbines to supply battery power for lamps which will then be sold my members of the local community.

“ We are privileged to have been chosen for a Sir Alex Ferguson Magnusson Award, with this support we will work to create a better standard of living for the people of Malawi who have experienced so much hardship in recent years.”

Kylie FaganPhD in Social Policy Merchants House Magnusson Award

Primary care services across Scotland are in the process of taking learning from an innovative Native Alaskan owned system of healthcare that places value on local knowledge, relationship building and a wider framing around the notion of health and wellbeing.

The Merchants House Magnusson Award will enable Kylie to explore this revolutionary system in its original context, witness first-hand how the local community has taken on such a challenge and, most importantly, bring this knowledge back into those Scottish communities just beginning to embark on this journey.

“ My hope is that this experience will not only open my eyes to a new way of thinking about health and community engagement, but will also be a vital experience that I can share with the communities I will be working closely with during the course of my PhD and beyond.”

Lucy Forsyth & Louise McCloyBSc (Hons) Podiatry Magnusson Award

Lucy and Louise will be volunteering at The Leprosy Mission Hospital in Naini, in the north east of India.

The opportunity will give them insight into working abroad, treating conditions that are less common in the UK.

They will be able to observe/participate in giving general foot care advice, manufacturing orthotics, wound management and reconstructive surgeries. This opportunity will enable them to develop their skills and knowledge further, to help them with their future careers.

“ The chance to make a difference and enhance the life of others while learning, adopting new techniques and enhancing clinical skills appealed to us greatly. Hopefully the skills learned during our time away can be adapted and transferred when we are back in Scotland. We are both so excited and really looking forward to the whole experience.”

Anu GoelMSc International Fashion Marketing Santander Magnusson Award

Fashion student Anu is the first ever GCU London student to win a Magnusson Award.

Her ambition is to provide creative designs and embellishments to top high street brands and couture designers of the UK, Europe and USA.

With support from her Santander Magnusson Award, she will start her own fashion company with a longer term plan to eventually offer home-working opportunities in the crafts industry in India and the rest of the world.

“ I would like to thank Santander from the bottom of my heart for providing financial support to achieve my dreams. To win a Magnusson Award is both encouraging and motivational, and it is a real honour to be the first ever GCU London recipient.”

Andrew HeadspeathMA Multimedia Journalism Magnusson Award

Andrew will travel to Malaysia for nine weeks where he will share and enhance his journalism skills working for an NGO which is improving the quality of education for marginalised youths.

Teach For Malaysia seeks to close the gap between socio-economic disadvantage and educational performance. The organisation recruits the brightest minds in education and sends them to work in some of Malaysia’s most deprived areas. It provides a framework connecting leading professionals and systems to uproot education inequality and provide local youths with opportunities to vastly improve their future prospects.

Andrew will join the Communications department of Teach Malaysia to help develop their campaigns and special projects, visit schools and film mini-documentaries on education inequality.

“ This will provide a vital stepping stone onto a career which I hope will see me using Journalism to improve social standards in the Asia-Pacific region.”

Rachel HewittPhD in Health History Magnusson Award

Rachel will develop a community-based art collaboration project called ‘Beyond Epilepsy’. Beyond Epilepsy is a group of artists, academics and third sector workers who are working together to develop public engagement strategies and academic research on epilepsy and related conditions.

A series of pop-up exhibitions designed to challenge stigma and raise awareness will be produced as part of the project. These will present the challenges faced by people with epilepsy and the role society plays in overcoming these challenges. It presents the positively changing position of people with epilepsy in society over time and aims to challenge current misconceptions and stigma. The first exhibition planned is part of the Glasgow Science Festival from June 2016.

“ This project aims to be a platform to allow artists to promote awareness of disabilities, and to support artists with disabilities.”

Conor McGreadBSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying Mike Smith Magnusson Award

Conor is travelling to Jamaica for four weeks to assist in the designing and building of homes for the poor and those affected by natural disaster. Within the poorer communities, there are homes that have very little structural integrity that are constantly subject to hurricanes. With his knowledge gained from studying Quantity Surveying at Glasgow Caledonian University, he intends to construct homes that can protect them from the elements and improve their overall quality of life.

Whilst there he will be residing with a local family which will enable him to fully experience the Jamaican culture. He also intends to utilise his passion for photography to document his time abroad, especially in regards to the projects he will be involved with, by raising awareness of the difficulties that some of the Jamaican people face.

“ This award will be an experience that will give me invaluable life skills which will assist me throughout both my personal and work life. I am delighted that I have been given the opportunity to travel the world whilst volunteering, two of my main passions in life.”

Angela McIntyrePost Experience Certificate in Supporting Student Learning and Engagement Sir Alex Ferguson Magnusson Award

Angela will be travelling to India to volunteer on a Women’s Empowerment Project.

This project was set up to challenge the discrimination faced by women throughout the country and aims to assist in gender equality through various educational, healthcare and income initiatives and empower local women by educating them on their rights and the opportunities available to them.

Depending on the needs of the project at the time, she could be participating in a number of activities ranging from providing one-to-one educational lessons to girls in local schools, hosting income and health workshops or working in vocational training centres, all of which aim to provide long term solutions to gender imbalance and discrimination.

“ Through volunteering on this project, I now have the opportunity to help others who haven’t been fortunate enough to receive the same kind of support that I have, so I am very grateful for this opportunity to make a difference.”

Teresa TurnerBA (Hons) Media & Communications Magnusson Award

Teresa will be travelling to the Peruvian Amazon with the objective of connecting people to the rainforest through a variety of creative mediums.

She will be living in the Taricaya Ecological Reserve that is run by the Projects Abroad Organisation, with whom she will be working for 3 weeks. Whilst working, she will also be filming and photographing various aspects of the rain forest and producing diary entries at night, which will all be uploaded to different social media sites.

“ I have always wanted to travel to the Amazon; I can’t believe my dream will become a reality thanks to the Magnusson Awards. I hope my project will get people around the world interested in nature and will encourage more to volunteer.”

Karen WhyteMSc International Events Management GCU Magnusson Award

Karen will be volunteering during the 2016 Paralympic Games in September. Her course at GCU covers a variety of research and theory on the events industry with subjects including the legacy, experience, policy and impact of events. Research has focused around events like the Olympics and especially the growing volunteer industry, which has become essential to its success.

By volunteering at the Paralympics, she aims to experience and learn first-hand how the organisers manage this area and also see the way facilities are adapted to overcome accessibility issues.

“ The Paralympic games are not only inspiring in terms of the challenges faced by the athletes with their disabilities and impairments; the event is also a great driver for encouraging social inclusion. Seeing how the leaders in events planning organise these crucial areas will influence and enhance my own skills and future career.”

Orlaith McGuinness, 2015 Magnusson Award Winner

Speakers: 2015 Winners

Fatma IbrahimSupporting the Girls Revolution movement

Connor Johnston Creating a Games design business

Rhiannon WalshMaking a wildlife documentary in Zimbabwe

Fatma Ibrahim2015 Glasgow Caledonian University Magnusson Award

Supporting the Girls Revolution movement

Women in Arabic countries face discrimination and violence in their daily life; with men dominating their daily lives. Fatma Ibrahim used to be one of these women, however, things changed when she got the opportunity to study MSc Social Business and Microfinance at GCU, which opened her mind to the possibilities for women to fight for their ambitions.

Last summer, Fatma travelled to Egypt to support the work of the Girls Revolution, an online movement founded by young Egyptian girls to share their personal stories. The movement quickly gained momentum and women who could access the internet around the country began to share their stories, confiding in one another and offering support, making the crucial discovery that they are not alone. Fatma’s Magnusson Award supported her to travel to Egypt to help change the lives of vulnerable women. During her time in

Egypt, Fatma organised three empowering and educational events for women, worked with social businesses and women’s rights organisations, and interviewed ten inspiring women. The research she gathered is the base for her bigger dream, of starting up a social business which could create solutions for disadvantaged women and girls.

“ Going back to Egypt and working on this project as much as it was a big dream, it was also a huge fear. I can’t be thankful enough for the Magnusson Award for making my time in Egypt safe and beneficial. The feeling of helping other women and offering support was priceless. By achieving this dream, I’m now more motivated and confident to move forward in my work aiming to help more and more disadvantaged women and girls.”

Connor Johnston Merchants House Magnusson Award 2015

Creating a games design business

With support from the Merchants House of Glasgow, Connor has realised a lifelong ambition to start his own games design business, Dalriada Games. In the past year, he has been able to purchase much needed design equipment and software, learned how to manage a team and become a full-time game developer.

Connor originally set out to focus on the development of one game, however, interest in his work has grown exponentially and he is currently working on three titles, including Starward, a game set in space for mobile devices and a festive game using the latest Virtual Reality technology. He has also been working with children in Castlemilk and community education provider BeYonder to create a game for identifying Dyslexia, called Amnexia. The game will provide opportunities to combine health, education and gaming, and aims to provide a quicker solution to diagnosing Dyslexia.

Alongside all of these projects, Connor’s involvement with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) has grown and he has plans to help support more women into the aforementioned industries.

“ The project is going exceptionally well and we could not be more thankful to the Magnusson Panel for the opportunity, and to the Merchants House of Glasgow for their remarkable contribution to the company. Without the generous award, there is no way the business would have been where it is now.”

Rhiannon Walsh Santander Magnusson Award 2015

Making a wildlife documentary in Zimbabwe

Last summer Rhiannon Walsh had the opportunity to combine her two main passions in life, wildlife and documentaries, to make a film about volunteering at a wildlife orphanage in Zimbabwe. Supported by a Santander Magnusson Award, Rhiannon was able to experience life at the Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage, recording the lives of the people and animals that live there. Her documentary is both an educational tool on the positive efforts being made with veterinary work, rehabilitation and wildlife surveys for the betterment of animals, and also highlights the atrocities by poachers to raise awareness of this serious problem.

As a child Rhiannon had imagined being a vet and working with animals, so the experience she gained as a volunteer feeding and caring for the young wildlife was a dream come true. Another highlight of her trip was participating in Chipangali’s school

programme which involved travelling to underprivileged local schools to teach them about the animals they might see around Bulawayo. Rhiannon’s experience in Zimbabwe has given her a longing to learn more about Africa and has also lead to her partaking as a volunteer in the African Film Festival in Glasgow.

“ I would like to take this opportunity to, from the bottom of my heart, thank everyone that made this possible, from the Magnusson Fund to Santander to GCU and everyone that helped along the way. The immense gratitude I feel for being able to partake in this experience mirrors the enormous longing and hunger in my heart to get back to the African plains.”

Previous MagnusMagnusson Award WinnersA growing number of GCU students and staff have made an impact around the world as Magnus Magnusson Award winners. Here are a few examples:

Orlaith McGuinness

Andrew Wilson

Gillian Murray

Roisin Donnelly

Orlaith McGuinnessBSc Human Nutrition and Dietetics 2015 Magnusson Award

Orlaith was blessed with the opportunity to travel to Ghana, spending a month working as an intern in a children’s nutrition centre. Prior to this trip, she hadn’t travelled outside of Europe and her experience in Accra, the capital of Ghana, was a complete culture shock where she witnessed worryingly low levels of hygiene and nutrition, and met with many people in need of her help.

On her busiest days at the nutrition centre, 150 children attended the clinic and Orlaith’s role was to weigh, measure and identify whether they were moderately or severely malnourished. She was fortunate to work closely with the Centre’s Nutrition Officer Emmanuel, who was a constant source of knowledge and inspiration throughout her time in Ghana. The experience has meant that Orlaith has been able to gain first-hand experience treating some of the most severe forms of malnutrition which has made such a meaningful impact on her own life and career.

“ The entire experience was amazing and if given the chance, I would do it again tomorrow - but it would not have been possible without the very generous funding I received thanks to the Magnusson Award.”

Andrew Wilson BSc Environmental Management2015 Mike Smith Magnusson Award

Last year, ambitious BSc (Hons) Environmental Management student, Andrew Wilson was awarded a much sought-after internship with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Working for the United Nations had always been a dream of his, however, he recognised that the experience of living in Geneva for six months came with high financial costs attached. Andrew’s Magnusson Award gave him the support he needed to undertake his internship without any financial worry. UNEP is responsible for addressing environmental problems at both global and regional levels, and during his internship Andrew able to undertake a range of tasks to give a broad overview of how the organisation operates. He also supported their Environmental and Social Sustainability and assisted in the delivery of the climate neutral strategy. While based in Geneva, Andrew had the opportunity to experience a wide range of activities and events in central Europe including Le Tour de France and visiting Mont Blanc, making it a very memorable trip.

“ My time in Geneva has been by far the most enjoyable experience in my life so far. I would once more like to thank the Magnus Magnusson Fund for their generous award which helped the trip come to fruition and be as memorable and valuable an adventure as it was.”

Roisin Donnelly BSc Human Biology, Sociology and Psychology2014 Magnusson Award

In 2014, Roisin had a life changing experience volunteering in Zambia, a country where an estimated 64% of the population lives on less than £1 per day. Based within the city of Livingstone, Roisin worked tirelessly to provide healthcare within clinics and community centres. However, it was the home based element of the project which she relished the most but found most heart wrenching. By visiting people’s homes, Roisin witnessed unimaginable health and living conditions firsthand and was overwhelmed by the poverty and lack of resources.

The experience put into perspective how fortunate we are to live in a developed country with abundant freedom and opportunity. Roisin embraced every opportunity she faced in Zambia, supporting a number of additional projects in Livingstone, including building a local school, helping at the Zambian Film Festival and volunteering at the Makuni Big Five animal rehabilitation centre.

“I loved and cherished my time in Livingstone. It was a fantastic opportunity to be able to witness an African home and observe real community life - the gratification from helping people in need and encountering genuine appreciation was indescribable”.

Gillian MurrayMSc Public Health2014 Catholic Bishops Conference Magnusson Award

Gillian’s Magnusson Award took her to Tanzania to participate in the life-saving “Kangaroo Mother Care” project for premature and vulnerable babies. Most hospitals in Tanzania cannot afford expensive critical equipment such as incubators; however, Kangaroo Mother Care provides an inexpensive method where the mother, or caregiver, uses skin-to-skin contact as a natural incubator for their baby. It is one of the most promising ways to save preterm and low weight birth babies in low-income settings. Gillian witnessed the lack of antenatal care and pain relief for women in labour, something which is taken for granted in the UK and was shocked to learn that one in five babies delivered at the ward died each day. She was able to work closely with the neonatal unit and teach mothers how to keep new-borns warm through continuous, 24 hours per day, skin-to-skin contact on their chest. Without support from the Magnusson Fund, she wouldn’t have been able to go out to Tanzania to teach this lifesaving technique.

“ When I think back to Tanzania, I am still overwhelmed with emotion. I feel this has had a major impact on my confidence as a practitioner and as a woman. Like the women in Tanzania I feel empowered to share this experience and ensure every mother knows the benefits of Kangaroo Care.”

2015 winners

2010 winners

2011 winners 2012 winners

2014 winners

2013 winners

2008 winners 2009 winners

Magnus MagnussonFund DonorsThe University and the Magnusson family would like to warmly thank the following individuals, Companies and Trusts for their generosity in supporting the Magnus Magnusson Fund and Awards.

Why we support the Magnusson Awards

Merchants House of Glasgow

Merchants House of Glasgow has supported the Magnusson Awards since 2015.

The Merchants House is a substantial Glasgow charity, which supports good causes in the local West of Scotland area. Lord Dean of Guild, John MacLeod explains their motivation for being a donor:

“ Merchants House is proud to support some of Glasgow’s ambitious young people through Magnusson Awards and also scholarships. My colleagues take great pleasure to be involved in selecting Magnusson award recipients each year enabling talented students to embark upon their dream projects.”

Lord Dean of Guild, John MacLeod

Lord Dean of Guild, John MacLeod pictured with 2015 Merchants House Magnusson Winner Connor Johnston

Individual Donors• Mr & Mrs Peter Addyman• Ms Sheila Bain• Mr Archie Baird• Mr Crawford Beveridge CBE• Mr Alistair Burrow MA LLB• Dr and Mrs Martin Cheyne• Dr Elie Chilton• Professor Roger Crofts CBE FRSE• Mr Brian J Dempsey• Ms Gillian Dinsmore• Mrs Jo Dowling• Dr & Mrs Robin Easton• Mr Fraser Elgin• Dr Peter Finch DUniv• Sir Alex Ferguson CBE• Miss Alison Frazer• Professor Brenda Gourley• Mr Mike Graham• Lord Dr Willie Haughey OBE DTech• Dr Archie S Hunter• Mr Alan & Mrs Alma Hutton• Professor George L Irving CBE and Mrs

Dorothy Irving• Mr Norman Izzett• Mr Paul Jordan• Dr Thomas M C Lindsay• Sir John Lister-Kaye Bt OBE• Dr Winifred Logan Gordon• Bill Lucas• The Right Hon. Lord Macfarlane of Bearsden• Dr Colin MacKay CBE• Mr John Maclean• Dr Gordon Thomson Masterton OBE DTech• Mr Norman J McIntosh• Dr James McVittie OBE

• Mrs Ellen Menzies• Reverend John Miller• Mr Alasdair Milne• The Very Rev. Dr William J Morris• Lord Nickson of Renagour• Mr Henry Perfect• Mr James Purdon• Sir William Rae• Professor Seona Reid CBE• Mrs Sarah Scott• Rt Hon Lord Steel of Aikwood KT, KBE, PC• Professor William Storrar• Professor Joe Thomson• Sheriff Nigel & Mrs Snjolaug Thomson• Mr Graeme Waddell• Ms Dorothee Weber• Mrs D Winterbottom• Professor Emeritus Hamish Wood CBE FRSE

Organisational Supporters• Arnold Clark Automobiles Ltd• Bishops’ Conference of Scotland• Glasgow Caledonian University• Glitnir Bank• Icelandair UK• Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander• Mastermind Club• Santander Universities• The Merchants House of Glasgow• The Robertson Trust• UNISON• Universities and College Admissions Service

Support the Magnusson Fund at www.gcu.ac.uk/foundation

Magnusson Fellowship Lectures• Professor Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace

Prize winner (2008)• Dr Will Hutton, Executive Vice Chair of The

Work Foundation and former Editor-in-Chief of The Observer (2010)

• Dr Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and dedicated climate change Campaigner (2011)

• Professor Renata Salecl, renowned Slovenian philosopher, sociologist and legal theorist (2012)

• Professor Eva Haller, philanthropist and human rights activist, holder of the Friends of the United Nations Population Administration Lifetime Achievement Award (2014)

Nina Campbell, Development OfficerGlasgow Caledonian University Foundation Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow,G4 0BA Scotland, United Kingdom

For further information, please contactE: nina.campbell@gcu.ac.ukT: +44 (0)141 273 1014

www.gcu.ac.uk/foundation